[Omeprazole and misoprostol for NSAID-induced gastropathies: comparative efficiency of their short-term treatment]

It is rather difficult to choose a drug to treat nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastropathies in patients with rheumatic diseases, which primarily makes it necessary to use antiulcerous treatment as part of continuous NSAID therapy. Detecting upper gastric ulcers or erosions in many patients admitted to a rheumatology hospital for exacerbation of the underlying disease cannot cause NSAID to be discontinued even temporarily as this may lead to a significant deterioration and progression of the joint syndrome. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of 2-week treatment with misoprostol (Cytotec), 800 micrograms/day, and omeprasole (Omez), 40 mg/day, for NSAID-induced gastropathy in 63 patients with rheumatic diseases. The study has indicated that the use of Omez seems to be more advisable than that of Cytotec in the treatment of NSAID-induced gastropathy if it is necessary to continue to treat the patient with a whole range of antirheumatic drugs. Equally effective in healing ulcers and erosions, Omez is much better tolerated and able to rapidly relieve gastralgias and dyspepsia. It seems that the use of Cytotec for NSAID-induced gastropathy with a great deal of side effects and relatively less efficiency borne in mind may be limited because of cases of inefficiency of proton pump inhibitors.